If you've ever had diarrhea, you are aware of how fast it wears you out. Imagine a case that drags on forever or reappears repeatedly.
This is the situation for over 500,000 Americans who contract the bacterial infection known as Clostridioides difficile, or C. diff., annually. Life-threatening conditions include violent diarrhea and intestinal inflammation.
You'll learn about the typical symptoms, how C. diff spreads and produces toxins, and who is most susceptible from this overview.
C. diff spreads in what way?
We have C. diff in our feces, just like many other bacteria do. Almost everyone carries it; it's on our skin and even on the bottoms of our shoes. The C. diff bacteria are dormant spores while they are outside the body. Their sole opportunity to come into action is when they are ingested and make it to the intestines.
Many people who ingest C. diff spores never get sick, even in that case. The only individuals who feel ill from the spores are those whose gut microbiome, or the billions of microorganisms that reside in their intestines, becomes unbalanced for any of the several causes listed below. The spores begin to grow and produce toxins when an imbalance takes place, which results in a C. diff infection.
C. diff bacteria colonize many of us with no negative effects. Spores of Candida diff are continuously ingested by us. It is only in certain situations that the spores will sprout and emit poison. The toxin is the cause of your illness.
What signs indicate an infection with C. diff?
The symptoms bear similarities to several different forms of digestive problems. This might initially make it challenging to distinguish the infection from less serious conditions.
Signs to look out for include
persistent diarrhea that lasts for three days or longer
nausea, fever, discomfort or pain in the stomach, or loss of appetite.
Although there is no need for the general public to be afraid of C. diff, if you are prescribed an antibiotic, watch out for signs of diarrhea after the medication has finished. When you stop taking the antibiotic, the diarrhea that is related to the drug alone should go away.
Who is most at risk?
From the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), here are some frightening statistics:
The most common cause of illnesses linked to healthcare in the US is C. diff.
It disproportionately affects residents of nursing homes and hospitals.
One in eleven adults over 65 who are diagnosed with a C. diff illness related to medical treatment pass away within a month.
Nonetheless, the illness can also affect other populations. While C. diff infections linked to healthcare facilities are leveling off, infections that affect the general public and are referred to as community-based are rising.
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Life and your house are once again all about you after decades of child juggling. An empty nest conjures up images of travel and quality time with grandkids for a lot of individuals in their 50s and 60s, as well as ideas of relocating to make the most of their next stage of life.
However, looking for a home later in life also presents a different set of factors. Your requirements have changed; for example, you could need less room and maintenance. Your capabilities have also probably changed. Now is the time to think about what architectural elements can turn your new house into a forever home, one that will allow you to age in place should you lose your mobility or agility.
Maybe you believe that buying a house based on changes that might never happen is too conservative, especially if you're in good health and want to stay that way. However, Harvard experts believe it's wise to adopt this perspective now, before a domestic catastrophe jeopardizes your freedom, because change is the only constant in life.
Do you wish to age in place? Tap technology
For almost 75 percent of older people, staying in one's home and community while aging in place is still ideal. According to a recent survey, over half of older people utilize assistive technology like fitness trackers and health apps to achieve this goal.
In a May 2023 publication, U.S. News and World Report conducted a study of 2,000 Americans aged 55 and above, of whom 53% were women. Of those surveyed, 53% said they used assistive technology. Mobile applications with a medical or health theme ranked highest in usage (25%), followed by wearable medical alert monitors (17%), smart home appliances (that regulate lighting, temperature, and other aspects), hearing aids, and shopping or meal delivery apps. According to the overwhelming majority of study participants, assistive technologies enhance their quality of life by making them feel safer (44%), healthier (33%), more independent (55%), and more mobile (20%).
Some older folks are so devoted to the concept of aging in place that they'll probably continue to live in less-than-ideal environments. This divide can be closed with the use of assistive technology, but only if it is fully utilized.
A wide range of early warning systems may be found in wearable medical alert trackers, and it is essential to acknowledge and respond to any notifications received from these devices regarding possible hazards. This presents a chance to utilize the aforementioned knowledge in order to establish communication with either one's family or healthcare provider, therefore seeking assistance to strengthen one's defenses.
Perhaps you are impressed by your partner's consistency and notice that he uses the restroom after drinking a cup of coffee every morning. Possibly, you do not share with that much frequency and are uncertain whether you ought to.
However, what exactly does maintaining a regular schedule entail? Various factors influence an individual's response, including but not limited to age, dietary habits, level of physical activity, daily schedule, and hydration status.
Although the frequency of bowel movements is inconsequential, it is critical that the pattern remain relatively regular and that you experience comfort. With regular and healthy bowel movements, you will also experience complete cleansing of the rectum without experiencing discomfort or pain and without exerting excessive effort to complete the task.
Identifying a problem begins with recognizing a significant deviation from your usual routine. For instance, if you normally experience one gastrointestinal movement per day but find yourself having them only once per week with no apparent explanation, you should consult a medical professional. Having additional symptoms, including but not limited to fatigue, pain, unintended weight loss, blood in the stool, or a change in stool consistency, further emphasizes the urgency of that visit.
Basic wellness advice that is well-known and easy to recognize includes eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, getting adequate sleep, and moving your body frequently. However, social media constantly bombards us with purported health advice, and it may be challenging to discern which advise to follow and which to disregard.
We frequently search for a magic bullet, that one item we can do to solve an issue or make our lives easier so we feel productive.
However, the majority of health issues may be resolved by striking a balance between your dietary and lifestyle choices rather than focusing on just one aspect.
Fact vs fiction
Myth 1: Being thin is the same as being healthy.
REALITY: It's not that easy. "There's certainly not just one healthy body type, and I've seen many people with a low body weight who aren't healthy."
It is true that having excess weight increases your chances of developing diabetes, heart disease, and several cancers. However, the idea that our body mass index is a reliable measure of our current state of health on its own is incorrect.
You may choose to be physically and intellectually active, in spite of your size. Maybe the most important things are how much we move and how involved and connected we are. Being overweight is sometimes linked to sedentary behavior, which is undoubtedly bad for our health.
2. Myth: Cleanses and detoxes improve your health.
Fact: They may cause more damage than good, and your body doesn't require them. Perhaps your sister claims that by clearing out toxins and accelerating weight reduction, detoxes or cleanses improve her mood and appearance. However, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), these strategies won't benefit you and could even do damage.
A less complicated method of testing for real penicillin allergy
Typically, the initial step in confirming a penicillin allergy is to perform a skin test. In the absence of a response, the individual is then administered a challenge of oral penicillin, consisting of progressively increasing doses, with the intention of diagnosing or excluding an allergy. Traditionally, this is performed in the office of an allergist. Nevertheless, only a minority of individuals undergo formal oral challenge and skin test testing.
As of now, a study published in the September 2023 issue of JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that an oral penicillin challenge given in any doctor's office is a reliable way to find out if someone has an allergy.
Question: My buddy claims that using a tongue scraper she recently purchased has significantly improved the quality of her breath. Is tongue scraping effective?
Answer. It is true that using a tool to scrape the tongue can help someone with chronic foul breath, called halitosis. The reason is because a lot of us accumulate a layer of germs, dead skin cells, and food particles on our tongues, which gives them a white or yellowish color. This occurs when food accumulates on the tongue's papillae, which are microscopic bumps that "grab" food and assist in moving it up the throat. Once bacteria settle in, the accumulation becomes odorous. Tongue scrapers are little instruments made of plastic, silicone, or stainless steel that are available in pharmacies and online. When using one, tongue accumulation is removed with a straightforward raking motion. A spoon might also work well. However, avoid scraping too forcefully to avoid overdoing it and scratching your tongue. While tongue scraping is not required, it can make someone's breath seem fresher if done on a regular basis. Most individuals can prevent bad breath with oral care, which includes using mouthwash on a regular basis and brushing twice a day.
Image: Depositphotos
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